Administration

Intranasal Administration

Prior to initial use, the metered-dose pump spray must be primed with 10 actuations or until a fine spray appears.1b Prime pump after a period of nonuse (i.e., >1 week) by actuating twice or until a fine spray appears.1bc

Tilt the head slightly forward, insert the nasal applicator into one nostril, b and point the tip of the applicator away from the nasal septum.b Pump the drug into the nostrilb while holding the other nostril closed and concurrently inspiring through the nose.b Repeat procedure for the other nostril.b

Clean nasal applicator by removing the nasal applicator and plastic cap.c Soak the nasal applicator in cold tap water and/or rinse in warm water and dry.c Rinse the plastic cap under cold water and dry.c Reassemble the nasal applicator with the pump by reinserting the pump stem into the center opening of the applicator.c Reprime the pump by actuating twice or until a fine spray appears.c

Dosage

Available as mometasone furoate monohydrate; dosage expressed in terms of anhydrous mometasone furoate.1

After priming, nasal spray pump delivers about 50 mcg of mometasone furoate per metered spray and about 120 metered doses per 17-g container.1

Pediatric Patients

Titrate dosage to the lowest possible effective level.1 (See Pediatric Use under Cautions.)

Allergic Rhinitis

Treatment of Seasonal or Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Intranasal Inhalation

Children 2–11 years of age: 50 mcg (1 spray) in each nostril once daily (100 mcg total daily dosage).1124567811

Children ≥12 years of age: 100 mcg (2 sprays) in each nostril once daily (200 mcg total daily dosage).1245678

Prophylaxis of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

Intransasl Inhalation

Children ≥12 years of age: 100 mcg (2 sprays) in each nostril once daily (200 mcg total daily dosage) starting 2–4 weeks prior to the anticipated start of the pollen season.123

Immunosuppressed Patients

Increased susceptibility to infections in patients who are taking immunosuppressant drugs.1 Certain infections (e.g., varicella [chickenpox], measles) can be serious or even fatal in such patients, particularly in children.1

Exposure to varicella and measles should be avoided in previously unexposed patients.1 If exposure to varicella or measles occurs in susceptible patients, consider administering varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG) or immune globulin (IG), respectively.1 Consider treatment with an antiviral agent if varicella develops.1

Sensitivity Reactions

General Precautions

Systemic Corticosteroid Effects

Possible growth suppression in children or adolescents.1 (See Pediatric Use under Cautions.)

Excessive intranasal dosages or use in patients who are particularly sensitive to corticosteroid effects may increase risk of systemic corticosteroid effects (e.g., hypercorticism, adrenal suppression).1

Use not recommended in patients with recent nasal septal ulcers, nasal surgery, or nasal trauma until healing has occurred.1

Concomitant Infections

Use with caution, if at all, in patients with clinical or asymptomatic Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of the respiratory tract; untreated fungal, bacterial, or systemic viral infections; or ocular herpes simplex infections.1

Ophthalmic Effects

No ophthalmologic abnormalities (i.e., elevation in intraocular pressure, cataracts) observed in long-term studies with mometasone furoate.1 Glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, and cataracts have been reported rarely with other nasal or inhaled corticosteroids.1

Monitor patients who have a change in vision and those with a history of glaucoma or cataracts.1

Actions

Inhibits the expression of inflammatory mediators by cells involved in both the early and late phases of the allergic response,2 including reduced histamine and eosinophil cationic protein levels and reduced eosinophils, neutrophils, and epithelial adhesion proteins.a

Comparative Pricing

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 02/2014. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.